49 more sleeps

Till I get to see my most favourite group of men together (excluding husband and son of course) I will be the old enough to know better but doesn't give a fig lady boppping like mad (see really showing my age by using the term bop) at the front.


Eeeekkkk so excited.

Just for Gina

Hi Gina *waves* and my poor neglected readers (if I have any left). Life has been busy and I have been slack so here is a quick pictorial update as to why I have been so neglectful.

We went here




Am growing these (hardy but difficult)


Making heaps of these (am a little bit addicted to making aprons atm)


Went without comfort for a short period


And building one of these



And that folks explains my absence. Hopefully the message I received this afternoon on my phone was the kick up the butt I needed to start blogging again.

Oh and Gina get your arse onto Facebook

p.s Jo would love some in kitchen action shots of the aprons (especially the red one with the red splashback :-)

Hunters & Gatherers

Here is Jnr with his first offical (did it all by himself) catch.

Just legal bream.

Panfried with a bit of chilli, parsley and butter. With some sweet potato fries on the side.


The little bits that he deigned us to try were quite delicious.

MOre Sewing on a Sunday

This is becoming quite a productive habit of mine and just quietly I love it.

So here is a collection of stuff that I have made today and last week. The twin boys pram blankets (really crappy photos that I took on a windy day so had to hang on the clothesline - excuse the shadows).



A scarf I made using some Amy Butler that I had in my stash backed with pink flannel quite warm and cosy and pretty...


I have also made 2 aprons this week but no pictures I will wait until I get some action shots to blog about those.

A sneak peek at a little birthday gift.


And lastly the other day The Little One was super quiet you know so quiet you kind of gulp as you prepare yourself for major mayhem and destruction. No not this little angel she took her self into her sisters room and laid on a mattress that was out being used for cubby play time and was 'reading' awww bless her little cotton socks.

Sewing Sunday

After my morning trip to the markets to get my fresh fruit and veg for the week I decided to make a Flipsy Skirt.

Using some fabric from my ever growing hardly decreasing stash this little baby is on it's way to Canada for a birthday girl.

This really is such a great pattern. I deviated slightly from the pattern and only put belt loops on and no buttons or loops on the hem. I hope she likes it and that I get heaps of photos of her wearing it.

Scones and Aprons

The other week I made Lemonade scones my first ever attempt at making scones.



Whilst making said scones I came to the conclusion that I need an apron and not just any old apron - no way. So I head over to the Queen of Aprons Louise at Made by Miffy and ordered an apron in an hour kit complete with fabric. And if you didn't have kids I am quite positive you could actually make this in an hour. Very easy pattern to follow and the end results are rather spiffy if I do say sew (ha ha) myself.



(Excuse messy house in background but I did try to sew all day)


Snr has now put an order in for one - which I guess makes sense seen as he is head Chef and chief bottle washer. Now to find something suitably manly and not too emasculating.

Little Fairy

Only wants to be held at present, wakes up far too early but by god we love this little girl.



Have inlcuded a photo of my F&V shopping this morning at our local farmer's market. I am not too sure if it is as cheap as I once thought it was. Have a guess how much this lot cost which incidentally will not last me all week (gosh you don't think I am that organised do you!!!)

I have been sewing just really slack at blogging

As the post suggests I have actually been sewing quite a bit just slack at blogging.

I have been making a lot of these crossover shoulder bags for gifts and have been well pleased with some of my fabric combo's especially the vintage mushroom with green dot lining. Like last years crayon roll gift this year is the year of the bag.

I also have just finished a very cute pram blanket in pink for a new baby girl and I have on the machine 2 boy versions for a set of twins born earlier this month. Cluck cluck cluck

edited to add that my photography really does need some help. These shots are woeful.

Procrastination Skirt

This is a skirt I have had in my WIP box for longer than I care to share with you all. My very patient skinny, leggy friend is waiting for.

It is supposed to be 3 tiers of blue corduroy but because my friend has great pegs it was to be customised as a short skirt. So after sewing the 3 tiers together on one panel I deemed it to be too long and so cut off one tier and added a beautiful Amy Butler Lotus panel as a contrast hem. I hope it fits okay which I think my skinny friend is too skinny and it will be too big.

Dont you just hate skinny people and their problems...

p.s I do love you Mothership.

Musings on a whiteboard

Translation:

Mum likes to watch Powderfinger. What do you think mum likes to eat? She likes oysters.

Yes I do my boy yes I do indeed.

Op Shop Wednesday

And today we have a daisy theme. I never really find too many 'bargains' or great vintage type stuff whenever I go looking but today I had a feeling so strong that I even woke my sleeping baby to go into this shop and I was rewarded with a daisy tea cup and some very cool green daisy fabric (well it is a sheet actually) but it immediately reminded me of the Amy Butler Daisy Chain fabric.

Can't wait to have my tea out of that clean cup tonight.

Turning One

It is such a huge milestone but one that the recipient is really none the wiser about apart from looking back in old and worn photo albums.

Last week The Littlest One in our household passed this milestone, the last one to be celebrated in this house unless we have any post vasectomy surprise babies...bwahahahahahahaha

To say the year has gone by far too quickly is a huge understatement it truly has gone by in a blur. She is such a (normally) easy going little girl. Who goes with the ebbs and flow of a loud and enthusiastic family.


She has 6 teeth (those last 4 came through not so long ago) is standing and taking a few tentative steps but not officially walking yet. Loves her vegies but loves them even more with a dash of gravy. And because she is a big girl now she insists on feeding herself these days (much to my floors dismay)


We love you Little One all the way to the moon and back.



Special mention and big thank you's to our dear friend Hilly who decorated the cake for us...mwah

Summertime

Take me back to the sweet sounds, hot nights everything is gonna be all right in the summertime... (Thirsty Merc)

Well its over and tomorrow will really bring it home with the last day of Nippers.

The mornings are crisp and I am starting to dress the Little One in warm pj's (she has an aversion to blankets).

I miss you already summer come back soon now you hear.

I've seen it all now.

Yes that is right I can now officially say that I have seen and heard it all.

Jnr Hillbilly was invited to his first Tupperware party today. Yes that is right his first tupperware party.

What has the poor kid got to look forward to now when he becomes an adult?

The box is back home.

Emma has received her pay it forward gift and has photographed her goods (far better than I ever could) and with a very cute model.

Go check out Emma's blog and all her beautiful quilts.

8 & 9 months- a catch up

I have been a bit slack with my blog of late. November & December was rather hectic for the Hillbilly's and I just seem to be coming back into my self and am on the sewing machine when I can.

Anyway enough about that here is The Little One. In my eyes she hasn't changed all that much in the looks department. She is just like Jnr Hillbilly which probably explains all the "...isn't HE beautiful" comments we get. I just nod and agree I mean SHE really is rather gorgeous, who am I to argue.

December 2008 - 8 months old



Still only 2 teeth, but now, not only is she crawling but cruising around the furniture. Still can be rather picky on the food front but has a few firm favourites that we stick to. She has also discovered her voice and is rather fond of using it and using it well (read loudly) but hey she is cute we can forgive her.

January 2009



Hard to believe she will be one soon where has the past year gone. This time last year I was very pregnant and spending a lot of time whale like at the beach. It is funny though as two of the school mums are due in April so they are where I was last year it is funny now that I get to give that commiserating smile as they 'waddle' up to the gates at the end of the day.

Back to work (part time) next month eeek.

Pay it Forward - Sneak Peak

As the title says a sneak peak at my Pay it Forward




So Emma expect your little package in the mail shortly.

p.s Don't look too closely at my sewing ability just remember that I am new to all of this.

This week I am loving

Gordon's G&T.

I don't normally go for this 'alcopop' type drinks but this one is seriously refreshing.

Heaps of ice a wedge of lemon (preferably minus the mint like I have in mine) and away you go.

It sometimes makes Witching Hour that little more bareable.

Give it a go I promise you will like it.

I died

... and went to Jogger's Hell.


Who knew 60 seconds could feel like 2 hours and that 90 seconds could go so quickly.

And while I am whinging who started this friendly hello thing going on between joggers. I can barely breath let alone get out a hello. I tried to smile but I think it was more a grimace just know if you passed the lady walking/jogging this morning that I was trying to be friendly. And same friendly joggers if you see a lady curled up in a ball on the side of the jogging path on Wednesday can you call me an ambulance.

Thanks

I did it... finally.

Today I faced a fear...sewing buttonholes.

Oh boo hoo Ellie I hear you say so scary. Well for me it was. Being mostly self taught I have two little dresses in my UFO basket (it is a big basket) that needed buttons and buttonholes. So while Jnr and Baby Girl were off at the grandparents and Snr was on Little One duty I faced my fear. I was supposed to be catching up on some sleep but the sewing was calling me.

I can't show you too much of the actual item because it is part of a gift. But I just couldn't not share my victory be it small with blogland.


YAY for me today.

And this last one is another UFO that needed buttons and buttonholes. Not very happy with my button choice here but live and learn I say.

Fad Lover

I am a lover of FADS. Not typically popular ones but I get into something whether it be food, sewing or whatever and will do it till I am literally sick of it. FOr example when I was pg with the Little One I could eat Peanut Butter M&M's till the cows come home. Funny I should use the word cow because towards the end of that pregnancy I was looking a little bovine'ish. Anyway so every week I will post about my new love of the week, it could be an appliance it could be something I am eating or drinking. Just so you know I am in no way profitting from my endorsements I just like to share the love (however if someone feels the need to send me products so I can see if I love them - email me ;-p)

This week I am in love with my Zyliss Potato Peeler. I know this is seriously lame but this thing makes me want to peel vegetables. THe colour is funky and from someone who for the past 20 odd years since I have been coerced into peeling potatoes we have only ever owned those cheap crappy ones that you buy like 5 for $2. This one is seriously good.

I took this photo of my peeler after I peeled some beetroots from our garden to make into this salad I kind of invented (was pretty yumm I thought and the guests had seconds so it must have been okay).



I fyou need a new peeler I seriously recommend this one.

I don't do resolutions

because invariably I end up breaking them so instead I am going to attempt (that doesn't imply any negative connatations if I don't complete them does it!!!)

**to do the Couch to 5km running plan like my good friend Jodes (note to self buy some joggers)

**do more sewing (note to self - you do not need anymore fabric you have enough to clothe a small village)

**be calmer and not wig out over the little things (note to self get some valium or stock up on some good bubbles)

**follow a good skincare regime (note to self you ain't getting any younger this is a must)

**return dvd's on time (note to self you cannot keep relying on your namesake - yes there is another Ellie Mae out there and she works at my local Blockbuster - to keep deleting your late fees because she feels some kind of kinship to you)

**write Christmas cards this year (note to self don't make it 3 years running with no cards sent)

Lastly the very yummy Turkish Delight Ice Cream cake which the Hillbilly's partook in lieu of a Christmas cake.

And finally one of Baby Girl just doing a thorough check to make sure she didn't leave anything in her Santa Sack

Tagged - Christmas Dinner

Our table from last year


I have been tagged by Jodie
about our Christmas dinner.

Basically apart from opening Santa's presents we pretty much spend the day at my parents place with any other friends or family who are visiting. This year it will be just my mum and dad plus the Hillbilly's. My brother will spend it with his in-laws.

Breakfast is eggs benedict with salmon and for the non salmon lovers the ham version we normally eat that out by the pool as it is still cool enough.

After breakfast we open the presents

Lunch this year will be cold turkey, ham and pork with roast vegetables, german potato salad, sweet potato salad, prawns, oysters, bugs and crabmeat.

Dessert this year we have 3 one is something with mangoes (cant remember my mum did tell me but I tuned out) this decadent chocolate meringue thing made by my mum for Snr and I am making the Raspberry & Turkish Delight Ice cream cake which is on the front of the Family Circle Christmas edition this year. I made the mango ice cream cake out of last years Family Circle christmas edition (this is a great magazine to keep for the festive season)

Most importantly I have a bottle of Moet chilling in the fridge as I type and this year I am not driving, incubating or feeding a baby and that bottle is all mine. Alllllllllllll mine you hear....

Okay so I tag

Jodes
Mothership
Lisa

A lot to blog about

I have about a million things to blog but just have been really slack. I am really struggling with my lack of enthusiasm about Christmas this year. I want to be excited but just can't for some reason. Oh well maybe next year hey.

While we were away for the week catching up with some lovely friends a parcel arrived for moi from my lovely talented friend Lisa I am guessing it was a christmas present but damn that who can wait so I ripped it open and received this loveliness.




Secondly my darling gorgeous friend Mothership did me a huge favour as I subtley hinted that these markets would be excellent (and apparently they were) to get me this bag from Beckybean I had been eyeing this bag off for ages


and thought I would get Mothership to check it out for me and if it was as cute in real life as it looked on the blog then to get it for me and get it she did all wrapped up gorgeously in brown paper with red string and buttons.

So anyway heaps more to blog (and one is about a big dangerous bloody snake) so will be back later.

Tata

Awww

Who owns those cute clean kids.



Sweet Jnr
Precious Little One
Spirited Baby Girl (tattoo's and all)

Well here they are all dressed up and ready to attend Carols on the foreshore but the thunder and lightning put a halt to proceedings so we took our takeaway pizza and glo stick bracelets home and put on a Christmas CD and did it at home. Not quite the same but you can't control the weather (and if by chance you are reading this and you CAN control the weather can you adjust the temperature gauge it is a tad too high up this way). The tinlids were a bit disappointed but a few tears later and promises of some yummy biscotti all was forgotten.

Last Day of School

Well we have officially survived the first year of school 12 more years to go, well for this one anyway.

It has been a year all of highs and I hope that this continues throughout Jnr's whole school life.

To finish off the year instead of Christmas cards Jnr will give each classmate a gingerbread tree (yes they are supposed to look like trees).



Much nicer to eat than a paper card I think.

From Little Things...

A couple of months ago we were using a section of the vegie patch as a composting area until our new compost bin was built. From that section of the garden with no planting of any kind on our part up sprouted about 1/2 a dozen tomato bushes. From just throwing away unused tomatoes we harvested well over 100 tomatoes.



So apart from the usual eating of tomatoes we have also made some green tomato pickles.

The colour of the green tomatoes when sliced was amazing and I am sure my photos will not do it justice.


It was a 2 day process as the tomatoes need soaking in brine overnight but such an easy recipe.




Now to find a yummy roasted tomato relish.

Taking a moment

I don't know about you but my life seems really really hectic. This morning when feeding the Little One (LO) I took a moment to reflect. I think this is because today I started negotiating my return to work...eeeek. I am so torn I really really want to go back but I really really want to stay at home.

I gazed at my baby girl as I fed her and I told myself that I need to remember that she loves to twirl her dummy in her hands whilst drinking. I often forget this and she will fuss until I remember and place it in her tiny hands. She will also tickle her ears when tired just how her big sister used to do it when she used a dummy.

She hates to have blankets on her just like her big brother and sister. Most of all she loves to just smile at us. She smiles not only with her mouth but from her eyes they sparkle. I hope she keeps that sparkle forever as it truly is a gift. She especially loves to make us laugh and when she does something that makes us laugh she will keep repeating it until after 20 times our forced laughter makes us laugh all over again.

She has been crawling now for nearly 3 weeks and I am afraid to say that she is also trying to stand up. I caught her yesterday when she should have been sleeping standing up in her cot at the rails. Was I cranky that she should have been sleeping, no. Was I shocked that she was standing (well yes a little) but mostly I was just a bit sad that she is growing up so very quickly.

****
Baby Girl who was born to be a middle child is also growing. She told me yesterday in her cranky tone that I am not the Queen of the house she is and that I am just a princess. Apparently she is the Queen. Well we all knew that and to be honest I am surprised she bestowed the title of princess on me and not her royal slave.

Baby girl loves to sing and dance such a stark contrast to her brother who we could not get to wiggle his hips in the slightest as a toddler. She sings for most of the day but will stop and gives us a modest smirk when she catches me drinking her in.

She is an independant soul who really wants to do it all herself but gets easily frustrated when she cant (unfortunately something she obviously inherited from me). She loves to help (when it suits her) and is a keen assistant gardener to Snr. She can name all the vegetables in our garden and loves to eat the food she has helped to grow. She too is growing fast and is starting to make her own little friends which is nice to know that she can do that on her own. Her favourite book is Celeste sails to Spain and Clive eats Alligators (both by Allison Lester) and we can't go to bed until Snr has told a story and sung Advance Australia Fair. She loves to take Jnr to school and looks forward to Friday's so she can go to assembly at Jnr's school.

****

My first baby the baby we never thought we would have is truly the light of our lives. He opened up our world and our hearts to endless unconditional love. He has amazed us every single day of his life.

He is analytical, compassionate, caring and a great conversationalist (he gets that from his father). This week at school (his first year- prep) we attended the Jnr Primary Presentation Evening where our son won the highest award given at the school. It is called the Timothy Award and is for demonstrating a christian attitude, a sevant heart and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. You have followed your teaches direction and learned well, just like Timothy in the New Testament.

To say we were proud is a total understatement. It was a small relief on our part to know that we are doing okay in the parenting department. Whilst we are not religious folk we have decided on a Christian education for our children, one because the school ticked all the boxes for our educational requirements and two because it would open up his mind to the concept of religion which is something he does not get at home. Though this has created many topical discussions on creation vs evolution in our home.


If I could stop time for just a short time that would be great life is good and whilst I often dont stop to think just how damn lucky I am because I am too stressed that I have a sink full of dishes or my floors need mopping I need to come back here and read just how lucky I am.

Take one recycled skirt

And make 4 out of it, for 4 lucky (I think) girls.

Here Baby is modelling hers but apparently (according to her) it needed something so she picked out that lovely button embellishment all by herself and it matches it perfectly.




That was my non school related sewing effort this morning in my very hot and humid sewing room (aka the garage). We are so going to get a big storm this afternoon.

Baby Gift

A new little girl entered the world on the 3rd November weighing 8lb 6 oz.

Hopefully she has now received her box of goodies. A quilt, a taggy blanket and a fabric beach ball using the lovely pattern from Purl Bee.





I was not overly happy with my attempts at the beach ball because basically my hand sewing sucks (no it really really does, I seriously need to look into getting some lessons of some kind) and I nearly wasn't going to send it but at Snr's insistence (why o why do I listen to him) I included it. At worst it will be covered in slobber or hidden at the bottom of a toy box.

So welcome to the world Ashlyn Brynn and congratulations Sean, Annie and big brother Callum.

Bathing Hillbilly Style

This is how we (the kids that is - I would not fit my left buttock into that bucket) bathed last night.

Snr has a theory (he has a lot of them, one for every scenario life throws our way) that showering or bathing during a lightning storm is rather dangerous and because everyone was hot, sweaty and a tad tetchy bathing in a bucket was our solution.

The kids thought it was hilarious and in the process we saved a bit of water.

7 mths old (a bit late)

I am running very very behind this month and have a whole heap of posts to do but I am just purely exhausted. Too many late nights, lots of sewing (mainly school presentation evening costumes...gah) and birthday party madness.

In amongst all of that chaos my Little One hit 7 mths. This photo was actually taken on the 8th Nov and I just didn't get time to take one of her on her quilt (well I did remember but late at night). Still totally delicious but now with teeth. Eating now, but only jars of shop bought stuff will not eat my totally yummy organic homemade stuff. She even has a few words in her vocabulary (mainly just mimic type words) mum, da, yum, dum, bub. LO also crawls and if I put little mops on her hands I could have the cleanest floors in Australia.

Happy Birthday to ya...

Well in this house today means two ya's. That is right only at Chez Clampett could we manage to pull off the quinella. With both Jnr and Baby celebrating their birthday's today. Jnr is 6 and Baby is 3.

If you know Baby and her 'spirited' little personality you just know that her arriving on Jnr's 3rd birthday so that we had to cancel his party and dote and drool over our new baby girl is so her.

Hard to believe really that I have a 6 year old he is the most amazing little boy (to us) and we love him and his inquiring mind like no other.

How to describe the 3 years of Baby. Loving, funny, challenging and tiring. But at the end of the day even when it has been tough we always laugh (in hindsight) at her antics and wonder what the new day will bring.

I wish you both a lifetime of health, happiness and love and no matter what you always have a friend in me.

Today is bought to you by the letter R

Also I have included my current WIP (well one of one hundred but one that will be finished this week.) It is a quilt for a baby that will arrive tomorrow and I so loved this fabric but I truly do question my ability to pick fabrics. This wasn't my original plan for the quilt but due to the busy nature of my fabric choice it has been altered slightly. It is gender neutral as we don't know the baby flavour but the colours are bright and cheery and I am sure will get some good workouts on the floor.


This week will be a busy sewing week as I have stupidly decided that crayon rolls instead of lolly bags was a good idea for Jnr and Baby Hillbilly's party next week so I have roughly 20 or so to make...argggghhhhhhh

Tagged

I have a few of these to catch up on so here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone? Good question I have no idea, I think it is in the car.
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair colour? Brown
4. Your mother? Is an excellent Grandmother
5. Your father? Very generous
6. Your favorite thing? A good night sleep
7. Your dream last night? Dont sleep enough to get to dream unfortunately
8. Your dream/goal? To finish all my sewing projects before the fabric gets dusty
9. The room you're in? Kitchen/Family room with old repeats of All Saints playing in the background
10. Your hobby? At the moment sewing
11. Your fear? My kids getting a terminal disease
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Still here but possibly in a new house
13. Where were you last night? At home cleaning, cutting patterns and fabric
14. What you’re not? motivated enough
15. One of your wish list items? 1 carat (eah ear) diamond earrings.
16. Where you grew up? A small mining town in Central Qld
17. The last thing you did? Rang the Dr to see if he is running on time and spewing because I have 2 sick sleeping children and I will have to wake them both up to take them to the said Dr who even though I have been told is running on time will make me effing wait a long time
18. What are you wearing? 3/4 grey/black denim look pants a black polo and this very coolred chunky necklace with my new cool $50 thongs...I know that price is ridiculous but they are very fancy rubber thongs
19. Your TV? All Saints repeat
20. Your pet? None - and it is great
21. Your computer? Is old and covered in dust
22. Your mood? Is okay nothing a few hours sleep wouldn't fix
23. Missing someone? Umm not off the top of my head
24. Your car? Is terribly messy on the inside it is seriously a dumping ground for everything and anything
25. Something you’re not wearing? My engagement ring it isticks and scratchs LO
26. Favorite store? Spotlight
27. Your summer? Will be spent at the beach
28. Love someone? The kids and Snr and my parents for all the help they give us with the kids
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning at Jnrs school as I went to help out with Finger Gym and after their morning story they all get to share something with the class which is usually something that is happening at home one little boy shared how his mummy was sick this morning and I cringed wondering what goodness Jnr shares that happens in our house some days.
31. Last time you cried? About 20 mins something banal on tv. I am the worlds biggest tear jerker I cry at anything and everything.

Pink Ribbon Day

Today is Pink Ribbon Day and unfortunately there are probably far too many of us who have been touched by cancer.

A lovely friend of mine hosted a Girls Night In 2 weeks ago.

We held a little shindig where there were 11 ladies and we raised just over $500.00. I was tickled pink (excuse the pun) at how much we raised and had so much fun doing it.

Far too many grape juices consumed along with some totally delicious food. This is how I recovered the next day with some of my highly coveted goodies.




So I hope you got your ribbon or donated even just a dollar there are so many worthy cancer related charities around.

I lost my beautiful Grandmother at the age of 50 to breast cancer.

R.I.P - Rita Hapgood 09.09.1926 ~ 24.09.1976